Transcripts of speeches, or official interviews where Bill Gates definitively recorded saying, "If we stop employing foreign engineers, especially from India, then there will be another Microsoft born in India."
However, the sentiment behind the quote is strongly supported by what Bill Gates has actually said and done regarding Indian talent:
Recognition of Talent: Bill Gates has repeatedly acknowledged the pivotal role of highly skilled Indian engineers, particularly graduates from institutions like the IITs, in the early success and growth of Microsoft. He has called the decision to hire them in the 1980s "a phenomenal thing" and a crucial move that strengthened Microsoft's engineering capabilities.
The Brain Drain/Gain Perspective: The quote captures the reality of the global competition for top-tier talent. Highly intelligent, skilled, and ambitious Indian professionals are a powerful, entrepreneurial force. If major US tech companies like Microsoft, Google, or others did not hire them, it is highly plausible that this talent would either create successful, globally competitive companies in India (which has already happened to some extent, e.g., in the IT services sector) or be hired by competitors in other countries.
The Current Reality: The rise of Indian-origin CEOs leading global tech giants (like Satya Nadella at Microsoft, Sundar Pichai at Google/Alphabet, etc.) and the establishment of massive, high-value Research & Development (R&D) centres by all major US tech companies in India demonstrate that the talent pool is not only capable of working in the US but is also capable of leading global innovation from India.
Indian talent is so exceptional and entrepreneurial that denying them opportunity would simply lead to the rise of competitors—is conceptually true and reflects the high value major tech companies place on Indian intellectual capital. They hire the best, most of whom are chosen purely on “merit and technical prerequisites”, to ensure that the competitive edge stays with them.
Here are some of the most relevant and powerful quotes or sentiments expressed by top global CEOs regarding the quality of Indian engineers and talent, which reinforce the factors of knowledge, intelligence, dedication, and adaptability:
From Indian-Origin CEOs
The leaders who have risen through the ranks are perhaps the most eloquent about the talent they came from:
Sundar Pichai (CEO, Alphabet/Google):
“India has an extraordinary base of developers and engineering talent... Understanding this trend and building applications—either for India or for the world from India—are both exciting possibilities.” (This highlights the capability of the Indian talent pool to build global products, not just perform back-end work.)
“I think real success comes from understanding things more deeply.” (While advising Indian students to move past a purely 'exam-cracking' mindset, he acknowledges the underlying intelligence and deep problem-solving capacity that, when focused, leads to true innovation.)
Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft):
“My entire career has been a function of having a growth mindset... a passion for learning new things.” (While not directly about 'Indian' engineers, his emphasis on lifelong learning and ambition—qualities often cited as key to the diaspora's success—is a powerful statement on the mindset he looks for, a mindset usually forged in the highly competitive Indian system.)
Ravi Kumar S (CEO, Cognizant, former President, Infosys):
“If you can drive a car in India, you can drive anywhere in the world.” (This is a famous quote used to praise the adaptability, resilience, and ability to handle ambiguity and chaos—often referred to as Jugaad—which are vital skills for modern global business leaders navigating complex, unpredictable markets.)
Other global leaders often praise the technical depth and sheer scale of the talent pool:
Ola Källenius (CEO, Mercedes-Benz):
“Every time I go to Bengaluru, I come back twice as energised... The software talent pool is the most dynamic in the world. We will go to where that kind of talent is.” (This shows that the draw is not just technical skill, but the intrinsic motivation, energy, and dynamism of the talent, confirming the focus on knowledge and dedication.)
Mercedes-Benz, along with many German auto giants, has massive R&D centres in India, competing for the same high-end engineering talent as Silicon Valley.
Vivek Wadhwa (Prominent Technology Entrepreneur and Academic):
“The world is hungry for Indian entrepreneurs... They are technically brilliant, work incredibly hard, and have a unique ability to find solutions to difficult problems.”(This directly confirms the core parameters: Technical brilliance (Knowledge/Intelligence) and hard work (Dedication), coupled with an essential trait: problem-solving.)
In summary, the consensus among global CEOs is that Indian-origin engineers and professionals are selected not as "cheap labour", but for their elite knowledge, technical intelligence, profound dedication, and exceptional resilience/adaptability honed in one of the world's most competitive environments.
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